Tue, 8th April 2014
Kolkata, West Bengal
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Ram means the radiance within us; the light of the Self.
The word ‘Ravi’ also means the same. ‘Ra’ means light, ‘vi’ means special. It means this special light within us that is eternal. The light in our heart is called Ram.
So the light of our soul is Ram.
This day of ‘Ram Navami’ celebrates the birth of this Divine inner light.
The word ‘Ravi’ also means the same. ‘Ra’ means light, ‘vi’ means special. It means this special light within us that is eternal. The light in our heart is called Ram.
So the light of our soul is Ram.
This day of ‘Ram Navami’ celebrates the birth of this Divine inner light.
Lord Rama was born to King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya.
Kaushalya means skill, and Dashrath means one who has ten chariots. Our body has ten organs – Panch Jnanendriya (referring to the five senses) and Panch karmendriya(referring to the five senses associated with action, that is the two hands, two legs, the genitals, the excretory organ and the mouth).
Sumitra means the one who is friendly with everybody. Kaikeyi means one who is always giving selflessly to everyone.
Kaushalya means skill, and Dashrath means one who has ten chariots. Our body has ten organs – Panch Jnanendriya (referring to the five senses) and Panch karmendriya(referring to the five senses associated with action, that is the two hands, two legs, the genitals, the excretory organ and the mouth).
Sumitra means the one who is friendly with everybody. Kaikeyi means one who is always giving selflessly to everyone.
So King Dashrath along with his three wives went to the Rishis (holy sages). When the Rishis gave them Prasad (food given after being offered to the Divine) then by its divine grace, Lord Rama was born.
Ram means inner light, and Lakshmana (Lord Rama’s younger brother) means awareness. Shatrughana means one who has no enemies, or one who faces no opposition. Bharat means the talented one.
Ayodhya (Lord Rama’s place of birth) is one which should not be destroyed.
The essence of the story is this: Our body is Ayodhya, the king of our body is the five sense organs and the five organs of action. The queen of the body is skill (Kaushalya). All our senses are outwards, with the use of skill we bring those inwards, and that is when the divine eternal light, which is Lord Rama, dawns within us.
Ram means inner light, and Lakshmana (Lord Rama’s younger brother) means awareness. Shatrughana means one who has no enemies, or one who faces no opposition. Bharat means the talented one.
Ayodhya (Lord Rama’s place of birth) is one which should not be destroyed.
The essence of the story is this: Our body is Ayodhya, the king of our body is the five sense organs and the five organs of action. The queen of the body is skill (Kaushalya). All our senses are outwards, with the use of skill we bring those inwards, and that is when the divine eternal light, which is Lord Rama, dawns within us.
So Lord Rama was born on Navami (in Hindu astronomy, referring to the ninth day). I shall narrate the significance of the ninth day some other time.
When the mind (Sita) was kidnapped by ego (Ravana), then both the divine light together with the awareness (Lakshmana) brought her back home, on the shoulders of Lord Hanuman (signifying Prana). This Ramayana keeps on happening in our body all the time.
Gurudev, love is not an emotion, then what is love?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is our very existence. I say only three things to you, purity in heart, clarity in mind and sincerity in action. This is essence of spirituality. If you have these three, many problems get nipped in the bud there and then itself.
Even after meeting you why do people continue to behave rudely and in a jealous manner? What is the reason?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I would advise you not to worry about others.
Just imagine if they wouldn't have been on the path, how rude they would have been. I take them, accept them and give them enough time to improve. People do change with time. People improve.
You should not get stuck in watching and observing other. You watch yourself. Just quietly reflect and observe how much have you changed after coming on to the path. You see your own progress.
Some people are slow learners, some are quick learners. This happens in life.
Just imagine if they wouldn't have been on the path, how rude they would have been. I take them, accept them and give them enough time to improve. People do change with time. People improve.
You should not get stuck in watching and observing other. You watch yourself. Just quietly reflect and observe how much have you changed after coming on to the path. You see your own progress.
Some people are slow learners, some are quick learners. This happens in life.
Gurudev, is revenge justified?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Sri Sri: Revenge is a sign of foolishness and stupidity. Any revenge shows you have lost your vision, that you have become blind.
Gurudev, Why are all my desires getting fulfilled?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
When you desire something, you get it. It is but natural.
Just like how in a computer, you press a button and it works, in the same way, when you have a desire in your mind, it surely manifests.
I think this is the first time someone is asking that why it is getting fulfilled. Have you become so accustomed to your desires being unfulfilled? When you become a seeker and attend to your Sadhana (spiritual practices) regularly, you will see that your desires start getting fulfilled automatically.
Then you may ask why it is getting fulfilled and may think it is a bit abnormal. I tell you it is absolutely normal. You will get used to it.
Just like how in a computer, you press a button and it works, in the same way, when you have a desire in your mind, it surely manifests.
I think this is the first time someone is asking that why it is getting fulfilled. Have you become so accustomed to your desires being unfulfilled? When you become a seeker and attend to your Sadhana (spiritual practices) regularly, you will see that your desires start getting fulfilled automatically.
Then you may ask why it is getting fulfilled and may think it is a bit abnormal. I tell you it is absolutely normal. You will get used to it.
Gurudev, Many parents believe that marriage is necessary for a suitable and secure life for their girl child. What do you think? To what extent is marriage necessary for a comfortable and secure life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No, marriage is not just for a girl’s safety alone. It is a personal choice also. But I will say one thing to you. Even after being married, be happy. Some people are unhappy despite getting married, and some are unhappy being single as well.
Gurudev, I am a first time voter. My constituency leader is not as strong a candidate as one may desire. But I still want that the leaders of that party win the election. So what do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I would suggest to not go after the local candidate when it comes to the National elections. You should intelligently evaluate who you want to make the PM of the country.
When it comes to the Municipal elections, then you should find out everything about the candidate. But at the national level, look at the interests of the nation. Vote for those who speak from the heart. We do not want a Prime Minister who reads a speech prepared by someone else. We want someone who is a strong leader and can voice his mind and opinions fearlessly.
When it comes to the Municipal elections, then you should find out everything about the candidate. But at the national level, look at the interests of the nation. Vote for those who speak from the heart. We do not want a Prime Minister who reads a speech prepared by someone else. We want someone who is a strong leader and can voice his mind and opinions fearlessly.
See, everyone has the right to be aligned with or favour one political party or another. That is alright. But when it comes to the nation and her interests, you should keep all your political and local preferences aside, and think single-mindedly about the country first.
Look for a strong candidate who can really deliver on his promises and do good work, and then accordingly vote for him. Tell this to others also and make them understand. I will tell you why I am saying this.
Today one dollar is equivalent to 65 rupees. If a weak person comes to power at the centre, one dollar will rise in strength to equal 100 rupees.
Other countries want this to happen so that it is cheaper to buy things from India. But everything will get more expensive here for ourselves. The prices of regular daily commodities will touch the skies.
Other countries fear that if a strong person comes to power at the centre, then the rupee will gain in strength and the dollar’s purchasing power will fall to 40 rupees.
Look for a strong candidate who can really deliver on his promises and do good work, and then accordingly vote for him. Tell this to others also and make them understand. I will tell you why I am saying this.
Today one dollar is equivalent to 65 rupees. If a weak person comes to power at the centre, one dollar will rise in strength to equal 100 rupees.
Other countries want this to happen so that it is cheaper to buy things from India. But everything will get more expensive here for ourselves. The prices of regular daily commodities will touch the skies.
Other countries fear that if a strong person comes to power at the centre, then the rupee will gain in strength and the dollar’s purchasing power will fall to 40 rupees.
Certain foreign countries do not want our country’s economic condition to strengthen.
In last five years we have had 30 scams worth crores of rupees. It is said that 1.4 trillion dollars worth of Indian money has been secretly smuggled outside our country in the form of illegal black money.
When I had gone on a foreign tour once, a gentleman in that country told me that two billion dollars worth of Indian money has been deposited in our country’s bank by an Indian politician.
He asked me curiously, ‘How are you tolerating so much corruption in your country?’
Now what could I tell him! I told him that the people now are becoming increasingly aware about all these issues and they will have such corrupt people put behind bars.The time for change has come. We all have to do this. Nobody can understand why prices of food grains are rising in India alone, when they are actually falling everywhere else in the world! No economists can understand this. This is all because of corruption.
We are sitting on a wealth of huge oil reserves and still we are importing oil. We have so much Iron ore, still we import steel, and the same is the case with gold also. This is very controversial. That is why I say this country desperately needs change.
In last five years we have had 30 scams worth crores of rupees. It is said that 1.4 trillion dollars worth of Indian money has been secretly smuggled outside our country in the form of illegal black money.
When I had gone on a foreign tour once, a gentleman in that country told me that two billion dollars worth of Indian money has been deposited in our country’s bank by an Indian politician.
He asked me curiously, ‘How are you tolerating so much corruption in your country?’
Now what could I tell him! I told him that the people now are becoming increasingly aware about all these issues and they will have such corrupt people put behind bars.The time for change has come. We all have to do this. Nobody can understand why prices of food grains are rising in India alone, when they are actually falling everywhere else in the world! No economists can understand this. This is all because of corruption.
We are sitting on a wealth of huge oil reserves and still we are importing oil. We have so much Iron ore, still we import steel, and the same is the case with gold also. This is very controversial. That is why I say this country desperately needs change.
Gurudev, some people say that we should not vote because the country’s parliamentary system is wrong. What do we do about this? Should we not vote?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
I have come to hear that Maoists are saying to not vote and go for NOTA option (implying 'Not applicable', essentially meaning no vote at all).
I would urge you, don’t waste your vote. Your vote is very important. When you don't have strength to counter the corrupt, you should remove the more corrupt people using those who are less corrupt.
I would urge you, don’t waste your vote. Your vote is very important. When you don't have strength to counter the corrupt, you should remove the more corrupt people using those who are less corrupt.
Gurudev, most parties have announced their electoral candidates only one week before. Is this correct?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No, this is wrong. Electoral reforms should be enforced here and parties should announce their candidates six months prior to the elections, so that the people can interact with the candidates and see their work before deciding to vote.
Gurudev, There are so many universities already in India, so why the Sri Sri University?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
We see many students are going abroad and are getting beaten up. In one year, more than 22 deaths have happened. Why should our people face racial discrimination when they can get the best of the East and the West here itself?
So we organised this university and the course curriculums accordingly.
We can really create universities like Nalanda and Takshashila once again, where people from around the world can come and get education.
So we organised this university and the course curriculums accordingly.
We can really create universities like Nalanda and Takshashila once again, where people from around the world can come and get education.
Dear Gurudev, can you make me meet God?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Definitely, I am here to do exactly that. First, just become totally content and happy from within. Then you will get all that you want.
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